Vanis Kvabebi

The Extant church, built near Vani or also Vahani’s Kvabebi during the era of hermits, dates to the eighth century. In the IX-XI centuries, in the middle of the desert was hewn the Church of St. George and a new group of cave cells. A strong earthquake in 1089 destroyed part of the cave with its church.

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

Vanis Kvabebi

The Extant church, built near Vani or also Vahani’s Kvabebi during the era of hermits, dates to the eighth century. In the IX-XI centuries, in the middle of the desert was hewn the Church of St. George and a new group of cave cells. A strong earthquake in 1089 destroyed part of the cave with its church. By 1191 it was the court monastery and Vanis Kvabebi reconstruction began in the reign of Queen Tamar. In 1204, the scribe Anton Chkondideli rebuilt the old stone wall. In 1204-1283, Vanis Kvabebi was owned by the feudal family of Mkhargrdzeli - Tmogveli.

The gate of St. George’s temple, a bell tower and the church of hall type was built in 1265. These places were destroyed in 1551 by the Persians and in 1576 – by the Ottomans, after which monastic life completely ceased. Vanis Kvabebi represents hundreds of caves carved into the rock in sixteen floors. The monastery complex consists of six churches, rooms, carved in the rock, cave, shelter, vault - a tomb and places for economic pursuits . On the cave walls of the upper floors, are the remains of the XV century inscriptions made ​​by women who took refuge here. They transferred fragments taken from ancient Georgian poetry and prose.

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